Travel

There’s a 36-hole golf sanctuary on Lake Lure an hour east of Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina offering spring and fall golf packages on weekends, as well as weekday deals for groups of all sizes throughout the year. The name? Well, it’s one that’s hard to forget – Rumbling Bald.

Rumbling Bald’s “Spring/Fall Packages” (Thursday – Sunday) start at $363 per golfer for two nights lodging in a vacation rental and two rounds on Apple Valley and Bald Mountain golf courses. Three-night, three-round and four-night, four-round options are also available for $501 and $640 per golfer. Its popular “Weekday Packages” (Sunday – Wednesday) began April 1, with rates starting at $330 per person for two nights and two rounds, $452 for three nights and three rounds, and $574 for four nights and four rounds.

Lodging options geared specifically for golfers include the Apple Valley Studios (across from Apple Valley) and two-bedroom Fairway Villas situated along Bald Mountain just steps from its first tee. Via its wide variety of spacious vacation rentals, Rumbling Bald can accommodate golf groups of all sizes. Luxury vacation homes are also available for extended stays and golf rounds can be added a la carte.

“As the days continue to get longer and sunnier, this is the peak golf season here in North Carolina and the Lake Lure area,” says Rumbling Bald General Manager Jeff Geisler. “The Bermuda turf grass has greened up, especially the Champion Bermuda greens on Apple Valley installed in 2020. For many folks, it’s been a busy start to the year. We’re excited to welcome golfers to Rumbling Bald for some real rest and relaxation.”

Rumbling Bald extends complimentary golf rounds to leaders of groups of 12 or more when booking their first trip to the property. The Large Groups 12+ Comp is ideal for PGA Professional-member trips, small tournaments, or large golf buddy trips. The shoulder- and off-seasons are ideal for group play, with ample value and typically a faster pace of play than the peak spring and fall periods. While situated near the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Rumbling Bald enjoys temperatures similar to Charlotte, the largest neighboring city.

Tucked along scenic Lake Lure and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Rumbling Bald is secluded yet eminently accessible from numerous metro areas. Charlotte, Asheville and Raleigh, N.C., Knoxville and Nashville, Tenn., and Greenville and Spartanburg, S.C. are all one to five hours away. The idyllic retreat features two contrasting 18-hole layouts: W.B. Lewis-designed Bald Mountain and Dan Maples-designed Apple Valley.

Rumbling Bald’s marquee course, Apple Valley, stretches to nearly 6,800 yards and features expansive views of Bald Mountain and the surrounding Lake Lure area. Maples estimated 75% of shots at Apple Valley are either level or downhill, virtually unheard of for a mountain course. Shimmering mountain lakes adorn 12 holes, but water only occasionally comes into play.

Bald Mountain, at 6,300 yards, is renowned for its unique configuration of five par 5s and five par 3s. Movie buffs appreciate the 16^th green, the backdrop of a scene from “Dirty Dancing.”  A protégé of golf course architect George Cobb, Lewis is known for his traditional approach to course design. This philosophy is reflected in Bald Mountain’s playability from tee to green.

The property’s 115 vacation rental homes, condos and studios are ideal for golf groups of various sizes and feature golf course and mountain views. Post-round, golfers can relax at Legends on the Lake, casual dining along the shores of Lake Lure.

Rumbling Bald is rich with amenities and activities, including scenic Lake Lure boat tours, boat rentals, tennis, pickleball, a full-service spa and hiking trails. Families enjoy the Trout Stream Pool and Lazy River, winding its way through the outdoor pool area where guests relax under fan-cooled covered seating. It’s the perfect basecamp for exploring the natural wonders of western North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

For more info on golf packages, golfers can visit www.rumblingbald.com or even directly email J.P. Doran at jdoran@rumblingbald.com. To book packages directly or to speak with a golf vacation planner, call (828) 694.3072. Golfers are advised to call, email, or check the website for course maintenance and closure schedules. Rates include all taxes and fees and are based on full occupancy (four players in a two-bedroom villa or two in a one-bedroom studio). Rates include all taxes and fees and are based on full occupancy (blackout dates apply).

PGA TOUR players decompress from the year’s first major by setting their sights on Hilton Head Island and the RBC Heritage on Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort. And this year, as a “designated event,” it boats its strongest field in decades, including Masters Champion Jon Rahm, defending champ Jordan Spieth and 29 of the top 30 players in the FedExCup standings.

Easy like Sunday morning access, a postcard-ready setting, and a nationally ranked golf course have always been the keys to attracting a top-notch field. And in this case, Hilton Head Island is an easy 130 miles from Augusta National, a quick private jet flight for the world’s greatest golfers. The RBC Heritage also has a longstanding reputation as the most laid-back, kid-friendly, and flat-out enjoyable stop on the PGA TOUR.

What’s more, the golf-rich atoll is under a half day’s drive from major metro areas like Atlanta and Charlotte. It’s also served by two award-winning airports, Hilton Head Island Airport and Savannah/Hilton Head International. Nearly 40 golf courses are spread around the island and sprinkled off-island in Lowcountry communities like Bluffton, Beaufort and Okatie.

As the RBC Heritage gets underway Thursday, here are a few golf-focused fun facts to chew on as you plan your next golf trip to “Hilton Head, America’s Golf Island.”

The Sea Pines Resort

In the golf haven that the Carolinas, The Sea Pines Resort rests upon a revered pedestal along with Pinehurst Resort, America’s version of St. Andrews. But many out-of-staters aren’t aware that the prestigious property is home to not one, not two, but three championship golf courses. Of course, there’s Harbour Town (designed by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus), but there’s also Heron Point by Pete Dye and Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III. With daylight savings time kicking into full gear, it’s the optimal time of year to play 36 holes a day at the “house that Charles Fraser built” on the island’s south end.

On Island Golf Courses

Hilton Head Island is a mere 69 square miles. It’s known as “America’s Golf Island” for a reason, diminutive size aside. There are four multi-course resort properties within just minutes of each other: The Sea Pines Resort, Palmetto Dunes Resort, and Heritage Golf Collection’s Palmetto Hall and Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club. Palmetto Dunes houses three excellent 18-hole tracks designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., George Fazio and Arthur Hills, Palmetto Hall features two 18-holers from Hills and Robert Cupp, and Port Royal lays claim to Robber’s Row and Barony.

Off-Island Golf Courses

Hilton Head Island is actually an integral part of a macro golf destination that extends east to I-95 and north to historic Beaufort. As you head off the island, Old South Golf Links is the first intervening golf opportunity, a wonderfully crafted, links-like tract designed by local golf course architect Clyde Johnston. And a mere five-iron away is Hilton Head National featuring nine holes designed by Gary Player and nine from Bobby Weed, an often-under-appreciated Dye protégé. Several solid picks along the U.S. 278 corridor round out a multi-day golf trip. Hidden Cypress, Argent Lakes and Island West Golf Clubs are five minutes from the I-95 exit. And time permitting, make the trip to Parris Island to play the Legends Golf Course on the famed Marine Corps base.

World-Class Cuisine + Watering Holes

Sure, in the grand scheme of things, food quality takes a back seat to quantity for many “grab-the-guys-and-go” golf trips. But here’s a not-so-tightly kept secret about America’s Golf Island – the amazing isle and its surrounds are a culinary destination for foodies and restaurant critics from throughout the U.S. and around the world. Fresh seafood abounds, ranging from Redfish, Flounder and Grouper to oysters, shrimp and crab. There are also seemingly limitless options for landlubbers, spanning burgers, steaks and chops to hand-tossed, brick oven pizza.

For more information on golf, lodging, dining and transportation, visit www.hiltonheadgolfisland.com.

Champion Hills, home of Tom Fazio’s seminal “Mountain Masterpiece,” is smoothly swinging into 2023 with various membership offerings to meet the demographic and geographic shifts of the past three years that have created unprecedented demand for private golf memberships.

The continued popularity of remote work and the resulting freedom to move from densely populated urban areas in cold climates to Sun Belt states has led to a surge in relocations to the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains of Western N.C. That, coupled with the increase in first-time members joining private clubs in the Southeast, has led to record membership sales at Champion Hills.

As a year-round golf community and club, Champion Hills’ members enjoy golf, tennis, hiking and other outdoor activities during all four seasons. Its enviable location in bucolic Henderson County is just 45 minutes south of the craft beer capital and cultural center of Asheville and an hour north of award-winning Greenville, S.C. Downtown Hendersonville, a charming main street town with shops and restaurants, is only a few minutes away.

“Champion Hills’ memberships meet the needs of a wide range of age groups and lifestyles, and our location amid the majestic Blue Ridge mountains, pristine lakes and vibrant towns of this region makes us a top choice for those looking for a mild four-season climate with a comparatively low cost of living,” says General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Alan Deck, CCM, PGA. “We’re conveniently situated midway between the Northeast and Florida and just a few hours’ drive from the burgeoning Atlanta and Charlotte metro areas.”

Big Plans Ahead

-Champion Hills’ Equity 55 is a full golf membership designed for those age 55 and under searching for a club to call home. The initiation fee is divided into four equal payments over four years, dues and replacement reserve fund contributions are reduced by 50% and the club’s annual food and beverage minimum is prorated for new members.

-The club’s newly enhanced National Membership is for those who don’t own property in Henderson County but want to enjoy all the privileges, social activities and friendly competition that come with belonging to a premier private golf club. The initiation fee and monthly dues include 30 rounds of golf before incurring a guest fee.

-The Annual Explorer is a 12-month trial membership showcasing the complete Champion Hills experience. The Initiation fee can be applied to any membership at the end of the year, and monthly dues / replacement reserve fees are required in year one. It’s ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in club life before selecting their long-term membership plan.

-Champion Hills’ flagship offering is the Full Equity Golf Membership, which, in addition to full access to all club activities and amenities, includes both vertical family and Troon Privé benefits. One of the most valuable benefits a club can offer, vertical family membership enables members’ parents, children and grandchildren to experience all aspects of the club, regardless of age.

Member-owned and managed by Troon, Champion Hills’ Full Equity Golf members enjoy entry to 100+ Troon Privé golf courses, preferred rates at more than 150 Troon Golf resort and daily fee locations, access to amenities at participating private clubs and preferred benefits at participating Cliff Drysdale Tennis clubs and resorts.

Community Vibe

Champion Hills boasts a broad array of residential options – luxury homes, low-maintenance cottages, lock-and-leave villas and a limited number of building lots – suiting a wide variety of buyers. With the U.S. housing supply approaching a two-decade low, and Western N.C. following suit, we encourage prospective member-buyers to continually visit our website for an update on existing inventory.

New residents are often pleasantly surprised by “how much home” they can afford in one of Western North Carolina’s most exclusive mountain communities. Building lots typically range from .5 up to 1.5 acres, with prices from $17,500 to $150,000. Move-in ready luxury residences range from $700,000 to $1.75 million and feature golf course, mountain and wooded views (inventory is subject to availability and prices are subject to market fluctuations).

The Golf Course

Champion Hills is Fazio’s former home course and club. The legendary golf course architect devised a brilliant routing traversing heavily forested hills, deep ravines and cool mountain streams in a scenic Blue Ridge Mountain setting. He and his team of shapers pulled ridges into valleys and filled hollows to create “playing platforms,” providing golfers with level lies amid 350 feet of elevation change.

The course is perennially ranked in Golfweek’s list of the “Top 200 Residential Golf Courses in the U.S.” as well as the esteemed publication’s state-by-state rankings of the best private courses in the country. Champion Hills is one of the few golf courses in the Carolinas to feature five sets of tees rated for women, responding to the growth in this rapidly expanding player demographic. 

For more information, visit www.championhills.com. 

Pinehurst Resort will break ground on its first new golf course in nearly three decades this month, and it will be designed by Tom Doak, one of the most respected and decorated golf course architects of the modern era.

Located four miles south of the main resort clubhouse, Doak’s 18-hole routing is expected to open late spring of 2024, coinciding with the return of the U.S. Open to Pinehurst No. 2. The new course – the resort’s 10th – will incorporate rugged dunes mined at the turn of the 20th century accented by native sand and wiregrass. With natural ridgelines, intriguing landforms, towering longleaf pines, streams and ponds, Doak envisions a course that complements the resort’s other courses through its contrasts.

“The site is topographically distinct and drastically different from anywhere in Pinehurst,” Doak says. “It’s bigger, bolder and more dramatic. There’s about 75 feet of elevation change, and we’ll work our way up to it around the mid-point of the layout. You’ll have expansive views from this apex over the rest of the course. It will be an unforgettable experience for golfers.”

Doak recalls first visiting Pinehurst more than 40 years ago and playing and touring No. 2. He rated the storied Donald Ross design a perfect “10” in his famed book “The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses,” and was one of the most vocal supporters of its restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 2010 prior to the 2014 U.S. Open.

“Tom Doak builds incredible golf courses on sand, and we’re excited to see what he’ll create in the North Carolina Sandhills,” says Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley. “We’ve worked with some amazing golf architects who’ve embraced our natural aesthetic and believe Tom will do something fantastic on this site.”

Landscape architect Angela Moser will serve as Doak’s lead design associate for this project. Moser’s impressive credentials include work at the Los Angeles Country Club’s North Course, Streamsong Black in Bowling Green, Fla., St. Patrick’s Links in County Donegal, Ireland, Te Arai Links in Tomarata, New Zealand and Ohoopee Match Club in Cobbtown, Ga.

“The number one thing that excited us about the project is working with the beautiful sand that’s native to this region,” Doak says. “The sand, the wiregrass, the bluestem grass, and other native grasses that grow around the Sandhills create a fabulous texture for golf. It’s something most places just don’t have.”

In addition to Doak’s routing, Pinehurst envisions the potential for more growth in the area, which encompasses 900 total acres in Aberdeen. A variety of development opportunities will be evaluated with town officials, including additional golf, short course, clubhouse, guest cottages and other lodging.

“This exceptional property is a place where many of our dreams of the future can be contemplated,” says Pinehurst Resort CEO Bob Dedman Jr. “How those dreams play out will be determined over time, the same way the path forward revealed itself through recent additions like The Cradle, Thistle Dhu and the redesign of Pinehurst No. 4. Adding a Tom Doak design to our collection is another historic chapter in the story of Pinehurst. We can’t wait to read it.”

Pinehurst Resort is heading toward what’s sure to be an epic year in 2024 with the opening of its 10^th course and the playing of the U.S. Open on No. 2. It’s been a busy two years at the resort, with the renovation of The Manor, the opening of the North & South Bar, the opening of The Nest between No. 2 and No. 4 and stately Carolina Hotel just is undergoing a complete refresh to its rooms, hallways and dining areas.

For more info on all things Pinehurst Resort, visit www.pinehurst.com.

Champion Hills – Western North Carolina’s premier private golf community in the Blue Ridge Mountains – is 21^st in Club + Resort Business’ “Top Ranked Clubhouses” in the U.S., with the full list available in the January 2022 issue.

A leading trade publication based in Cleveland, “C + RB” covers the operations and management staff at country clubs, city clubs, yacht clubs and resorts that operate club-like facilities. Its “Top Ranked” initiative highlights clubs’ category-leading facilities, including clubhouses, fitness and wellness, pro shops, patios, culinary experiences, and aquatics and pools, as judged independently by a panel of general managers from several top clubs.

The rankings reflect the judges’ scoring of data provided for total clubhouse square footage, which specifically includes the following: locker room(s); event space and seating capacity; bar area(s); dining(s); availability of outdoor dining; wine room/cellar; total dining and bar areas seating capacity; kitchen(s); pro shop; fitness and wellness; and whether a dedicated youth space is offered.

“The clubhouse is such a key component of the member experience, and we’re honored to have been included on Club + Resort Business’ prestigious list,” says Champion Hills General Manager Alan Deck. “Our mountain lodge-style clubhouse sets the stage for the Champion Hills experience, which also includes our nationally ranked, Tom Fazio-designed golf course, wellness center, tennis courts, hiking trails and so much more.”

Champion Hills’ mountain lodge-style clubhouse is the epicenter of the community, featuring an expansive view of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains – a cathartic vista that members never grow tired of. In the heart of the clubhouse is the vibrant and inviting Fazio Pub. Recently reimagined by the Design Gallery, the casual dining restaurant and bar was updated with new finishes, fixtures, furniture and a wine room with a community feasting table. Two new bars were created, one for martinis and the other a sports bar with flat-screen TVs and local craft beers on tap.

Just steps away from clubhouse dining is Champion Hills’ Wellness Center and Pool Complex. Replete with the latest cardio and strength training equipment, it houses a spacious room for yoga, spin, Pilates and other group classes. Two lit, Har-Tru courts await tennis lovers, and a quaint outdoor pool beckons members to relax and stay a while. A hydro spa is also available and popular with members for relaxing their muscles post-workout.

The club’s true centerpiece, however, is its Fazio-designed Mountain Masterpiece. Fazio’s former home course and club, and the legendary golf course architect devised a brilliant routing through the heavily forested hills, deep ravines and cool mountain streams of its Blue Ridge Mountain setting. He and his team of shapers pulled ridges into valleys and filled hollows to create “playing platforms” providing golfers with level lies amid 350 feet of elevation change. The result is one of the most playable mountain-style courses in the entire region.

Champion Hills is a private boutique club in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, situated just south of the acclaimed “Main Street Town” of Hendersonville and 45 minutes from burgeoning Asheville. Its Tom Fazio-designed “Mountain Masterpiece” is ranked among the top private courses in the state by Golfweek and is the No. 1 year-round private course in Western North Carolina in Golfweek’s “Top 200 Residential Golf Courses in the U.S.” Champion Hills is managed by Troon Privé, the private club operations division of Troon, the world’s largest golf management company.

Resident-members enjoy a balanced and relaxed lifestyle steeped in golf, tennis, fitness, hiking and swimming, all surrounded by the recreation, entertainment and culture of Western North Carolina. Unlike many private, seasonal, mountain communities, Champion Hills offers year-round golf and activities, as well as casual and fine dining options.

For more information, visit www.championhills.com or call (828) 696-1962.

The Club at Olde Cypress in Naples, Fla., has reopened its 34,000-square-foot clubhouse following the final phase of a major renovation of its interior and on the heels of a full-scale agronomic remastering of its golf course in 2021.

Winter Park-based Soco Interiors transformed the golf shop, welcome area and offices with a contemporary palette of crisp whites, sophisticated grays and layered neutrals with accents of deep blue. The woodwork is painted a cool gray and blends perfectly with new silver and wood-accented pendant lighting and a modern sphere-shaped chandelier. Countertops are adorned with sleek Calacatta stone tops, and display areas for clothing and shoes create a neutral backdrop for displaying the latest fashion trends.

As part of the final phase, new custom mahogany doors were installed to welcome members into the new-look clubhouse. Oversized marble-look flooring and a palette of soft grays, blues, and white set the tone in the clubhouse’s bright, open spaces. Two gold-leafed glass chandeliers in the main hall serve as dramatic focal points, while new upholstered seating and fresh artwork add a contemporary touch. The lighter color scheme continues into the gallery and back hall with gray-toned luxury vinyl-wood plank flooring. New valances in a shimmery fabric contrast these light, sunny spaces.

“We all recognize how fortunate we are to be reopening our beautifully updated clubhouse during a time when the damage wrought by Hurricane Ian still impacts so many people in our region,” says Olde Cypress General Manager Ken Lanigan. “As we celebrate and enjoy our new project, our ownership, leadership and members continue to assist our community in its rebuilding efforts.”

The clubhouse renovation is part of a multi-million-dollar investment in Olde Cypress by owner STOCK Development. In 2021, the club’s P.B. Dye-designed golf course underwent a full agronomic remastering including resurfacing of all 18 greens, practice green and chipping area with TifEagle Bermuda. Tee boxes were also enlarged, leveled and re-grassing with Bimini Bermuda. The installation of a new subsurface drainage system allows for the rapid expulsion of excess water. To complete the project, the course’s 98 bunkers were refreshed with new edging, contouring and visually-stunning sand.

In addition to the first floor, the clubhouse upstairs interiors were enhanced and refined. New artwork and accessories mix colorful, contemporary pieces with unique textural elements. The dining and ballroom spaces have been modernized with new lighting and flooring. The library has a lighter look with painted wood architectural details that contrast vividly with the fresh white walls.

The Club at Olde Cypress is the centerpiece of a highly sought-after, 450-acre gated enclave with resale homes ranging from $950,000 to over $2.5 million. Over the past two years, residents and members have flocked to Old Cypress, lured by the 34,000-square-foot clubhouse with fine and casual dining and its highly-regarded P.B. Dye golf course, the famed architect’s only design in Collier County.

Other amenities include tennis and pickleball courts, fitness center and pool and a 34,000-square-foot clubhouse featuring both casual and fine dining. The club and surrounding 540-acre gated community are located just minutes from the Naples’ famous beaches, world-class shopping on 5th Avenue, and the Southwest Florida International Airport.

As most golfers know by now, golf is big in South Carolina. How big, you ask?

According to the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (SCPRT), the game had a $3.3 billion impact on the state’s economy in 2021, contributing to 38,000 jobs and $18.3 million in Admissions Tax collections.

“South Carolinians love golf, and golfers love South Carolina,” S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster said during a recent news conference to celebrate golf’s success in the Palmetto State. “In South Carolina, golf is more than a game played on some of the most beautiful courses you’ll find anywhere in the world – it’s an economic engine fueled by passionate, hardworking people who love and honor the golf tradition, and who make an incredible impact on our economy and quality of life.” 

And this week, it’s a game played by the best players in the world at the Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, two hours south of the capital city of Columbia. The PGA TOUR is in the state for the CJ Cup, which has moved from South Korea to Las Vegas and now South Carolina. The CJ Cup, which was previously part of a PGA TOUR “Asian Swing,” had been played in Las Vegas the last two years. It moved to Congaree this season, which also hosted the Canadian Open in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Rory McIlroy is the defending champion, headlining the strongest field of the fall with 15 of the top-20 ranked players in the world competing. The CJ Cup is a limited-field, 78-player event with no cut. The purse weighs in at just over $10.5 million, with $1,890,000 for the winner. Congaree is just 90-minutes away from the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Resort, host of the 2021 PGA Championship, and 50 minutes from Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort, perennial host of the TOUR’s RBC Heritage.

Congaree, which opened in 2018, is one of the all-time great stories in golf. It only has two official members, billionaire founder Dan Friedkin and the late Robert McNair, former Houston Texans owner. Instead, it has ambassadors who donate their time to growing the game at a grassroots level, helping kids who lack the financial, parental or social advantages of many junior golfers entering the game.

Many architectural aficionados consider the golf course at Congaree among Fazio’s best. Golf Digest ranks it as the second-best course in South Carolina behind only the aforementioned Ocean Course. It debuted as the 39^th-ranked course in America in the magazine’s top 100. Golfweek rates Congaree as the No. 2 private course in the state and tied for 22^nd on its Best Modern Courses list.

Hilton Head ‘Golf Island’

What do CJ Cup, the RBC Heritage and the 2021 PGA Championship all have in common? They’re played on golf courses in South Carolina’s famed Lowcountry. The Southeastern swath of the state is a flat, coastal plain covered with palmettos and Spanish moss-draped Live Oaks and marked by barrier islands connected to the mainland by grassy tidewater savannahs. At the heart of it all is Hilton Head Island, one of the true golf capitals of the world.

“Golf Island,” as it’s dubbed, includes the surrounding areas of Bluffton (just west of the island, proper), historic Beaufort, and tranquil Fripp Island to the north. Golfers will find courses upon courses, ranging from TOUR venues like Harbour Town Golf Links to one of the country’s best military courses, The Legends Golf Course at Parris Island.

Longtime traveling golfer favorites include Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, featuring three tournament-caliber tracks, Palmetto Hall, with 36 holes, and of course, The Sea Pines Resort, boasting 54 holes. There are many lesser-known gems as well, like Old South Golf Links, Hilton Head National and Oyster Reef (designed by Rees Jones). Fast Fazio Fact: Tom and his uncle George teamed up on the eponymous Fazio Course at Palmetto Dunes

Hilton Head Island isn’t the only Lowcountry atoll with considerable “game.” Fripp Island, home to the vastly underrated Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort, houses a classic George Cobb-designed course, Ocean Point, and one of Davis Love III’s first design credits (via Love Golf Design), Ocean Creek. Golfers can stay in cottages or condos along either course, or opt for luxury rental homes on the coast or interior of the island.

Elevated Fazio

Tom Fazio made a name for himself in the Carolinas throughout the 80s, 90s and early 00s, well before the opening of Congaree. In large part due to moving from southeast Florida to Hendersonville, N.C. in the late 80s to work on Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers. He eventually settled in Hendersonville, opening an office on Main Street. From there, Fazio crafted what he dubbed his “Mountain Masterpiece,” Champion Hills, where he’s still an honorary member.

In addition to Champion Hills and Wade Hampton, Fazio designed the courses at Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club in Cashiers and Diamond Creek Golf Club in Banner Elk, also developed by the Friedkin Group. Golf lovers – and raters from Golfweek, Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine and other outlets – journey to this remote corner of Western N.C. just to get a shot at playing on any of these ultra-private Fazio venues.

The vast majority of highly-ranked modern courses play to more than 7,000 yards from the back tees. Fazio’s design at Champion Hills is unique in that it flies in the face of conventional wisdom, measuring just over 6,500 yards from the tips. Once asked if he and his design team felt any pressure to stretch the course beyond this arbitrary benchmark, Fazio responded:

“The talk about getting courses to 7,000 yards or more has been around since the 60s, but 85% of the golfers in America are playing from 6,500 or less. Champion Hills wasn’t designed for modern-day professional tournaments. Stretching it to 7,000 yards didn’t fit well with that piece of land. If you have to start making concessions in the design to get there [to 7,000 yards], then don’t go there.”

Earlier this autumn, Rumbling Bald, the 36-hole golf retreat on Lake Lure an hour east of Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains, released its late fall and early winter golf packages amid high shoulder season demand. The 36-hole property’s original 18-hole track, Bald Mountain, is scheduled to close Nov. 7 through Dec. 31 for seasonal maintenance; it will reopen on Jan. 1, 2023.

So, have-clubs-will-travel golfers take note: there are still a few weeks available in 2022 to take advantage of Rumbling Bald’s fall golf package rates and enjoy both Bald Mountain and the retreat’s marque layout, Apple Valley designed by Dan Maples.  

Starting at $347 per golfer for two nights and two rounds of golf on Apple Valley and Bald Mountain, fall package rates are offered through Oct. 31. Three-night, three-round and four-night, four-round options are also available for $477 and $608 per golfer, respectively. Rates include all taxes and fees and are based on full occupancy in a Rumbling Bald villa or studio.

The shoulder season starts Nov 1. and runs through the end of the year, with rates starting at $300 per golfer for two nights and two rounds on Apple Valley. Three-night, three-round and four-night, four-round options are also available for $400 and $514 per golfer, respectively. Rates include all taxes and fees based on full occupancy in a villa or studio (blackout dates apply). Bald Mountain, Rumbling Bald’s mountain style-course will be closed from Nov. 7 through Dec. 31 and reopens on Jan. 1, 2023.

Lodging options include the Apple Valley Studios (across from Apple Valley) and two- and four-bedroom Fairway Villas situated along Bald Mountain just steps from its first tee. Via its wide variety of spacious vacation rentals, Rumbling Bald can accommodate golf groups of all sizes. Luxury vacation homes are also available for extended stays and golf rounds can be added a la carte.

Rumbling Bald continues to extend complimentary golf rounds to leaders of groups of 12 or more when booking their first trip to the property. The Large Groups 12+ Comp is ideal for PGA Professional-member trips, small tournaments, or large golf buddy trips. The shoulder- and off-seasons are ideal for group play, with ample value and typically a faster pace of play than the peak spring and fall periods.

To learn more about Rumbling Bald’s golf courses and packages, visit www.rumblingbald.com, or email jdoran@rumblingbald.com. To book packages directly, or to speak with a golf vacation planner, call (828) 694.3072. Golfers are advised to call, email or check the website for course maintenance and closure schedules. Rates include all taxes and fees and are based on full occupancy (four players in a two-bedroom villa or two in a one-bedroom studio).

On Course

Apple Valley stretches to nearly 6,800 yards and features expansive views of Bald Mountain and the surrounding Lake Lure area. Maples estimated 75% of shots at Apple Valley are either level or downhill, virtually unheard of for a mountain course. Shimmering mountain lakes adorn 12 holes, but water only occasionally comes into play.

Bald Mountain, at 6,300 yards, is renowned for its unique configuration of five par 5s and five par 3s. Movie buffs appreciate the 16^th green, the backdrop of a scene from “Dirty Dancing.”  A protégé of golf course architect George Cobb, Lewis is known for his traditional approach to course design. This philosophy is reflected in Bald Mountain’s playability from tee to green.

Off Course

Rumbling Bald is rich with amenities and activities, including scenic Lake Lure boat tours, boat rentals, tennis, pickleball, a full-service spa and hiking trails. Families enjoy the Trout Stream Pool and Lazy River, winding its way through the outdoor pool area where guests relax under fan-cooled covered seating. It’s the perfect basecamp for exploring the natural wonders of western North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Travel Time

Tucked along scenic Lake Lure and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Rumbling Bald is secluded yet eminently accessible from numerous metro areas. Charlotte, Asheville and Raleigh, N.C., Knoxville and Nashville, Tenn. and Greenville and Spartanburg, S.C. are all one to five hours away. The idyllic retreat features two contrasting 18-hole layouts: W.B. Lewis-designed Bald Mountain and Dan Maples-designed Apple Valley.

Pinehurst No. 8 reopened on Sept. 2nd following agronomic and infrastructure enhancements highlighted by new TifEagle greens, fully restored bunkers with fresh sand, improved drainage throughout the course and the removal of invasive trees limiting views and inhibiting sunlight.

Additionally, the existing Bermudagrass turf on tees and fairways was “fraise” mowed to remove thatch throughout the course, tighten up lies and foster more rollout on tee shots. Fraise mowing is a highly disruptive mowing technique developed in the North Carolina Piedmont that effectively removes thatch, organic matter and soil from Bermudagrass in a single pass.

“No. 8 now appears crisper to the eye and plays firmer and faster the way Tom Fazio originally intended it,” says Pinehurst Resort Director of Agronomy Bob Farren. “Fazio, [Pinehurst Resort Owner] Bob Dedman and [Pinehurst Resort President] Tom Pashley all agreed that No. 8 should retain its original, commemorative design. As such, these changes are aesthetic and agronomic with no alterations to the course’s architecture.”

Opened in 1996 to celebrate the resort’s centennial, No. 8 seamlessly synthesizes the North Carolina Sandhills aesthetic with Fazio’s timeless design elements. The layout gently spills over 450 acres of rolling terrain dotted with natural wetlands and native grasses. It’s located five minutes from the main clubhouse and courses one through five with its own clubhouse and practice facilities. The new state-of-the-art Golf Pride Retail Lab opened in late June and is co-located near No. 8’s entry.

While quiet by Pinehurst Resort standards, fall is still brimming with activity at the Cradle of American Golf. Phase one of The Carolina Hotel’s renovation is nearing completion. Updated guest rooms reopened following an expansive transformation blending modern luxuries with Pinehurst’s historic charm and comfort. The hotel’s popular coffee shop, which also sells assorted, fresh baked goods, is slated to reopen in the coming weeks to provide guests with an array of fresh brews and grab-and-go options.

Improvements continue outside the hotel, as well, none more evident than the Ryder Cup Terrace. For decades, Pinehurst’s guests have retreated to the sweeping veranda circling The Carolina Hotel, soaking in the sounds and pine-scented air that make the Sandhills of North Carolina so unique. Steps from the veranda and adjacent to the Ryder Cup Lounge, the Ryder Cup Terrace will feature cozy fire pits and soft seating, making it the perfect setting to begin an evening with a pre-dinner cocktail or to wind down after a round.

In concert with the United States Golf Association (USGA), Pinehurst Resort was recently selected as the first U.S. Open Anchor Site and will host the championship in 2024, 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047. The resort is slightly more than an hour from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 90 minutes from Charlotte Douglas International Airport and only a half-day drive from many East Coast cities.

Website: www.pinehurstresort.com

Few golf destinations are set up as brilliantly for a fall golf getaway as the Western North and South Carolina. Imagine the sunshine of Florida mixed with the stunning fall foliage of New England – all set amid a tapestry of towering Blue Ridge Mountain peaks and crystal-clear lakes – and you’ll get the picture.

For have-clubs-will-travel types, it also happens to be a region blessed with layouts from the likes of Donald Ross, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Ellis and Dan Maples, P.B. Dye and other distinguished golf course architects, both modern and traditional. Here’s a carefully curated mix of public, resort and private courses to sample.

Asheville, N.C.

Dornoch, Scotland-born Ross forged his brand at Pinehurst Resort in the state’s Sandhills, designing four of the resort’s nine courses. The storied architect went on to craft more than 40 layouts between Wilmington and Asheville in the 1920s, saving some of his most impressive work for the mountains of Western N.C.

The Omni Grove Park Inn’s 6,400-yard Ross design is diminutive by today’s standards but has a reputation for being enjoyable and in impeccable condition. What it lacks in distance, it makes up for in strategy, creativity and unapologetic fun. The tee box on the 332-yard 15^th hole is an ideal spot to crack open a beer from one of Asheville’s myriad craft breweries. The resort offers several golf packages year-round.

The Asheville Municipal Golf Course, also designed by Ross, is one of the oldest courses in Western N.C. Opened in 1927, “Muni” was the first racially integrated course in the state. For history buffs, it’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Just a few miles away, the exclusive Asheville Country Club features a vintage Ross track that Richard Mandell expertly restored in 2016.

Hendersonville, N.C.

No modern golf course architect has impacted the region more than Tom Fazio. His influence started with Wade Hampton in Cashiers and Champion Hills in Hendersonville in the late 80s. It continued with Mountaintop (also in Cashiers) and Diamond Creek in Banner Elk in the decades to come. During a 20-year stretch, Fazio was involved with nearly every golf real estate project in the region.

His office remains in downtown Hendersonville, just minutes from Champion Hills, where he and his wife are members. Fazio refers to the 6,500-yard layout as his “mountain masterpiece” and splits his time between Hendersonville and Jupiter, Fla. He pulled off what some call a “miracle of modern golf design” at Champion Hills, routing the course and shaping the land so that 12 of 18 holes play downhill or level.

With this caliber of golf course, it’s no surprise the community has emerged as one of the region’s most sought-after places to live. Resale homes are reasonably priced by private community standards, and the member-owned, Troon-operated club offers a “vertical membership” that extends privileges to family members – a rarity in the region.

The “test of time” is perhaps the most demanding criterion for judging a course’s design pedigree. Champion Hills checks this box with authority as it continues to move up Golfweek’s rankings of the best private courses in the state and best residential courses in the U.S.

Lake Lure, N.C.

Dan Maples hails from the “first family of North Carolina golf.” His grandfather, Frank, was a construction superintendent for Donald Ross, and his father, Ellis, was one of the most sought-after golf course architects in the Southeast in the 60s and 70s. Dan and Ellis worked on 17 courses together, including the Championship Course at Grandfather Mountain Golf and Country Club in Linville.

Dan designed Rumbling Bald’s marquee course, Apple Valley, which is under an hour from Asheville on the north end of Lake Lure. The 6,800-yard par-72 layout reopened in August 2020, sporting new Champion Bermuda greens and other agronomic enhancements. Known for both its conditioning and playability, Apple Valley’s 4,617-yard forward tees are popular with women and beginners.

Upstate, S.C.

P.B.’s connection to the Palmetto State runs deep. His wife, Jean, graduated from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and the two never miss an opportunity to catch a game in Williams-Brice Stadium. He fell in love with the Upstate region in the 90s, designing what was then known as The Gauntlet but is now Cherokee Valley Course and Club.

Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cherokee Valley displays numerous Dye characteristics while offering an exceedingly playable golf course with only a smattering of blind shots and uneven lies. The par-3 sixth hole features a 70-foot drop from tee to green and a panoramic view of Glassy Mountain in the distance.

A collection of cottages onsite house golf travelers in search of a convenient and enjoyable stay-and-play experience. Cherokee Valley’s new chef-driven restaurant, Core 450, opened earlier this year and is just a smooth pitching wedge away from the cottages. Golfers can take on the course via Finn Cycles, battery-powered scooters that can ride anywhere on the course other than the greens.